Completion of roof lifting and installation of the last few of 12 units of the retractable roof is expected in April, according to Inzhtransstroy-SPB, the general contractor of the stadium construction on Krestovsky Island in St. Petersburg, The field will then be cleared of the cranes and it will be possible to complete the installation of the roll-out field systems.

The roof of the stadium on Krestovsky Island consists of two parts, of the fixed – non-moving part – and the retractable part. During bad weather and the cold season, the roof can be closed airtight. Together with the climate control system, this will allow the stadium to maintain comfortable conditions all year round. Even in winter the temperature will be above 15 degrees Celsius.

The sliding part of the roof consists of twelve blocks – six in each half, the northern and the southern ones. The blocks are assembled directly on the field, and then raised to a height of 62 metres by two cranes, with the lifting capacity of 750 and 600 tons. Each block weighs more than 150 tons. The whole procedure takes a few hours. On the roof the units are installed on special trolleys, which will then be moved and shifted with powerful jacks.

The finishing of facilities in sector A at “0” mark are being completed. The floor tiling is finished, as well as wiring. From the sporting point of view this is one of the most important stadium sectors. The dressing rooms for athletes, warm-up areas, showers, trainers’, referees’ rooms are located there. The athletes come out to the field from sector A. The entire finishing of sector A should be completed by the end of March – except for the lay-in ceilings, which for technological reasons will be the last to be installed.

To create the humid-thermal conditions inside the stadium, to eliminate leaks and create a complete roof layout with bird’s-eye view – the works to cover the fixed roof are being conducted. A special vapour barrier film is being placed on the roof, then the subsystem is mounted above, and after that the thermal insulation with an aluminium seam roofing on the top. All works on the roof are seriously affected by weather conditions, so the coming of spring has significantly accelerated the process.

Active work to hem roof eaves, adjacent to the stained glass panels, is in progress. At a height of 35 metres they are mounted with the help of long mobile telescopic derricks.

The installation of seats for fans is continuing. So far 45,580 seats have been installed, which is nearly 80% of the total number. The planned rate of installation is 500 seats per day.

The installation of stained glass panels is fully completed at mark “14”. 80% of stained glass designs are installed at the highest, panoramic mark “42” (i.e., at a height of 42 metres). Some stained glass panels will be installed later to leave some special openings for technological requirements, cabling, access to the outer facade etc.

On the hill along the stadium perimeter, the work on casting concrete cascading staircases is in progress. Work on the stairs construction began at the end of February, today it is 20% complete.

The area around the stadium is being equipped. At the end of March, a small ring road 1.5 kilometres long will be ready for asphalt covering, and then work on the outer ring road will begin.

The builders are entrusted with a task to complete the general construction works by City Day on May 27. Further work will be carried out in the indoor stadium, as well as balancing and commissioning procedures. All works on the stadium in the western part of Krestovsky Island will be completed according to the current state contract in December 2016.

PanStadia & Arena Management has quickly become the leading publication for the business of stadia, arenas, sport & live entertainment events and venues on a global scale, with some 24,000+ named high-level industry professionals receiving the magazine on a quarterly basis.

Featuring high-quality, in-depth editorials, all carefully researched and professionally written, along with client case studies and a comprehensive Facility Watch detailing the latest projects, all presented in a bold, modern and intuitive design, PanStadia & Arena Management is the professionals’ choice.